FOA Backs Govt On Illegal Logging

31 August 2007
The Forest Owners Assn are encouraging New Zealanders to support a government proposal to clamp down on the sale of wood products from illegally harvested forests.
“Illegal harvesting of indigenous forests, especially in the tropics and northern Asia, has a huge impact on the natural environment, destroying the habitat of endangered species, and contributing to climate change,” says association president Peter Berg. “Wood from these forests also competes with our own exports in a number of key export markets – driving down price and demand and unfairly sullying the reputation of forestry everywhere.”
Berg says the forest and wood processing industry is working with the Government to ensure sustainable forestry practice is part of the Brand New Zealand story – something all Kiwis can be proud of. But he cautions that it does mean that everyone has to “walk the talk”.
“If New Zealand is to speak out internationally against the effects of illegal logging on climate change, biodiversity and the economics of sustainable forestry practice, we certainly can’t permit the sale of illegally harvested wood at home. Imported furniture and decking – the main end uses of wood imported into New Zealand – should not be sold here unless it comes from a legal and preferably sustainable source.”

Forestry Standard Raises The Bar

The Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) has been fully recognised as an Australian Standard after a rigorous three-year review process.
“This is by far and away the best way to demonstrate that Australian forests are sustainably managed to the highest environmental criteria,” the chairman of Australian Forestry Standard Ltd Geoff Gorrie said.
“The scientific rigour and performance orientation in the Australian Forestry Standard builds on the input of stakeholders from the forest management, wood processing and manufacturing, unions, contractors, forest users, forest professionals, environmental and indigenous interests,” he said.
There have been major changes in the AFS from its initial 2003 version; the issue of broad-scale conversion of native forests to plantation or non-vegetation cover has been removed for certification.
Other major changes to the standard include more restricted usage of chemicals; availability of summary reports on certification audits; recognition of environmental, economic, social and indigenous interests at the forest management plan level; recognition that forests are part of a wider array of land users in catchments; and a more comprehensive listing of definitions to support the nine criteria and 40 requirements of the AFS.
Acting chief executive of the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) Allan Hansard said the AFS recognition now proved criticism of the standard by radical conservation groups was unwarranted.
The AFS is recognised internationally as part of the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which is the world’s largest forest certification system.
“It is indisputably the best guarantee for consumers wanting to buy forest and wood products from sustainably managed sources,” Hansard said.
“It also means green building rating schemes can endorse with confidence AFS certified timber as a guarantee of sustainability. This is important as the AFS is the only scheme which has certified native forests in Australia.
“The AFS has again shown that it is the leading forestry certification standard by raising the bar and has set a challenge for other forest certification schemes to follow.”
Geoff Gorrie said the achievement by AFS was a watershed in the management of Australia’s forests. He urged all forest managers and owners to voluntarily seek certification to AFS.
Government funded research estimates illegal wood products are costing New Zealand NZ$266 million a year, increasing to $390 million in the next few years.
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